It's a Wrap Dress...

 ...I made nearly five years ago out of linen that's become so very soft now.   I just luv it.

~ and here I'm showing off my new ebay shoes ~

~ aren't they divine? ~

~ It makes me feel like a Victorian sweetie or some such thing ~

~ with my Mom's green-eyed fly pin ~

~ But hey, ~

The pattern I used was from the Japanese Sewing Book, Simple Modern Sewing, modified like crazy.

You can see the first time I wore it here and the next time here.  Each time with different accoutrements.  This is the plainest and probably the most effective, I think.  It's the shoes.  yeah.

~ brand new PSKaufman oxfords from ebay for $21.50 ~

I'll be over at Patti's and the Visibles for Not Dead Yet Style and then Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when they go live.  Come on by.

MeMadeMay'18 Marches On

Day #11

~ in all linen ~

And again, I've never worn these two items together before.  tsk-tsk.  The wrap-around dress is made from the book Simple Modern Sewing.   Sizing runs very small, so I did have to enlarge the pattern generally and while at it, I raised the waist to empire style.

~ showing off my bloomers ~

The bloomers are from Tina Givens Greta pants pattern.  I think the only change I made was to use a drawstring at the waist rather than elastic.  You can see me wearing them with the Greta dress here.

~ and Skecher shoes from ebay ~

Taking it for a Spin

my new Rorschach Dress

~ Watch It Now ~

~ vroom-vroom ~

~ ok, here's the overdress ~

~ and the underdress ~

~ the full Rorschach effect ~

~ and the best for last, Dr. Martens from ebay ~

details of MeMadeMay'17:

• overdress made in linen using wrap-around dress pattern in Simple Modern Sewing book

• underdress made in georgette using Tina Givens Sam Dress pattern with modifications

I'll be trotting on over to Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie's Shoe and Tell when they go live.

You can check out what I've worn so far in May on my MeMadeMay'17 page and/or my pinterest board of the same name, here.

Some Clothes Without Me

Yes, here's 3 dresses I've recently made that have yet to be pictured avec moi.


So here they are pictured without me: 

~ Tina Givens' Sam Dress ~

~ made in rayon challis ~

~ with contrasting striped neckline tie ~

I don't really see me wearing this as is.  It's a little too a-line skimpy for me.  I mean without layers somewhere, over, under.  Or as a nightgown.  We'll see.

~ same pattern, lots of modifications ~

~ in black and beige striped georgette ~

~ added shoulder/ sleeve cap ruffle ~

~ added hem piece with selvedge edges & side ties ~

I like this one much more, but I also made it a size larger along with all the mods to go under a specific dress.


This dress:

~ a wrap dress made from Simple Modern Sewing ~

~ using linen designed by Tina Givens ~

~ can also be worn open and center tied ~

~ luv the print and colorway ~

But the fabric itself is rather coarse, which is why I wanted to make something soft to wear underneath so none of it would touch my skin.  The Sam pattern fit the bill.  I think the striped one looks great with the Rorschach print.

There's more, but that's enough for one post, don't ya think?

Can I join the party of Visibles at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style without being in my new clothes?  Let's see what happens.

I Am Cute Dresses

~ yep, you heard that right ~

The gray cotton with silver mesh overlay dress is made from one of the first Japanese sewing books that was translated into English, I Am Cute Dresses.  And that's my peace sign necklace worn way back in the 60s.  Hey, I'm in my 60s now too.  hmmm...

Underneath is my Ode to a Grecian Slip, self-drafted from a bit of black chiffon I had on hand.   Worn cuz I'm feeling the dress is too short for me now.  Both items were made in the beginning days of Project Minima. 

~ a quick cat nap? ~

Wearing the Lotus Shirt/ Jacket/ Duster from Tina Givens Patterns over top as it was chilly here on the last day of school.

~ close up of my hand-made fasteners ~

~ and those cute shoes and sox ~

Hope I'm not too late for Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style!  And I've got it nailed for Anne's 52 Pick me up: gray, yea!  Then off to Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, but of course.  And Cherie's Shoe and Tell.  Hope to see you all there.

Hit the Mute, Dear

~ this room has all the colors I can take ~

Today I've dressed myself in all sorts of pastel-y colors, muted patterns and soft textures.

~ And turned my back on bright and vibrant hues ~

ahh, the peace and quiet of lilac knitted over-the-knee socks paired with old Doc Marten Mary Jane shoes.

~ uhhuh ~

Can we get a close up of that?

~ yeah, that's what I'm talking about ~

Ladies, what I'm wearing today is:

• the Becca jacket pattern made as a vest by Tina Givens (now out of print)
• a linen wrap-around dress modified from Simple Modern Sewing
• the aforementioned sox from Sox Dreams
• the Doc Martens from ebay
• $ store reading glasses

oh, and check out the handmade fasteners on my vest

~ fasteners by Sara ~

and photo-ing by Sara too!

Just in time for Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style.  Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, and Cherie's Shoe and Tell.  Do stop by and see the gang. 

The Most Awesome Unflattering Dress, Yes!

I worked long and hard on this one, ladies.  From an Issey Miyake pattern, so you know what I mean.

~ oh, where do I start...~

Well, the shoes and socks certainly add a little je ne sais quois, now don't they?

~ real close up ~

It's summery looking.  And middle-aged preggo-looking.  But I do love the fabrics I put together.  That's yellow polka dot voile (so soft and thin), turquoise printed cotton, and turquoise tulle overlaid,   I had the last two pieces in my stash.

~ a bit more unflattery ~

~ and awesomeness of design ~

Korean peasant dress meets futuristic apocalyptic fashion, maybe...
Back pieces also from my stash, including the embroidered tablecloth.  The piece beneath that is actually pale gray chevrons, but you can't really make it out.

Oh, don't forget the secret socks...

~ they say 'STAY AWAY FROM A88HOLES' on the vamp ~

Just between you and me, eh?

Big, Baggy and Wrinkled

That's the way I like it.  uhuh, uhuh.  Maybe you have to age into it.  I dunno.  But I luv my linen clothes that way...and since I'm in the same shape/ state, what's not to like?

~ glamor shot in double linen ~

sweeeet

And layering?  Well it just comes naturally.  It was a bit chilly out so I added an underdress, or an overdress...hard to say. 

ooo, get your motor running...

twirl-o-rama

ahh, a still at last

Now you can see the gorgeous print.  The floral one is the same style as my previous post - a wrap around based on Simple Modern Sewing.

the big reveal

And the paisley print is a mash-up totally reconfigured from a Park Bench Pattern.

Thanks to you all that responded to my head post with such good vibrations.  It was really appreciated and helpful to boot.  I'll post more about the changes I'm making (or not - maybe they'll just appear).  First up my friend, Elaine, is taking some quick pix of me every Saturday when I have class.  That way I'm sure to get photos for the blog at least once a week.  Thanks Elaine!

Now I'm off to the last party of the Summer at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style for the Visibles.  I wouldn't miss that for the world.  yeah.

Simple Modern Sewing

~ yep ~

Just made a linen wrap-around dress from Simple Modern Sewing, a Japanese sewing pattern book.

fluttering a bit...and then

Enlarged it tenfold - if you know anything about those teeny-tiny Japanese size patterns - raised the waistline to empire style, elongated the sleeves and made the hemline irregular.  The linen is wonderful in color, weight, drape, everything.

full dervish action shot.   whee!

Whoa, that was fun!

Besides my pink underslip and save-the-environment anklets, let me show you my dusty lavender shoes from you know where.  I just luv 'em.

ta-dah!

The color is a little off here, let's try another shot...

yeah, that's better

Nice, huh.  Well, wait 'til you see what's next...